Week 6 Summary

Ahh, so this week was such an interesting week. I didn’t know if I would lose any weight because once again I was unable to exercise—which was sooo frustrating. My toe has simply not healed, but after going to the doctor I’ve decided to just go ahead and start running again. Because after the success of this week (yes, this week was a success!!), I want to keep it going in order to reach my goal of losing 20 whole pounds by the start of college.

So speaking of college, let’s talk about my healthy habits that I’ve developed compared to my habits in school. It’s literally SHOCKING to me that I never was able to pinpoint what was wrong with my diet. In college I had fried food, soda, juice, desert almost all the time. It was insane.

This past month, I’m glad I’ve taken steps to slowly get rid of those from my diet. While I still casually have these things, they are causal treats—not conscious parts of my diet. But I’m super nervous of reverting back to those bad habits when I go back to college. So to combat that, I’m not getting a meal plan. I’ve realized this is the best decision I could take because by not getting a meal plan, I’ll have extra money to use for groceries.

And the awesome part of that is that I’m in complete control, so there’s no one to blame. This is a really long process and after reaching the 20 lbs.

So yeah, next week: def more running!

Weigh In #5: 206.6 pounds

Weight Lost This Week: 2.4 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 15 pounds

Week 5 Summary

Yo, so I'm changing this to weekly now to ease into the college transition--which will be very busy. So yeah, here's my weigh in. i'm actually happy with it because I couldn't exercise this week due to an injury (went too hard in soccer last Sunday). So I'll be back on my grind this week and the next blog posts will definitly have more details.

Weigh In #5: 209 pounds

Weight Lost This Week: 1.4 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 12.6 pounds

Week 5, Day 1: I'm So Fucking Happy...Now Comes The Hard Part

Wowww, it's really been four friggin weeks man. I kind of can't believe it actually. Hopefully my big toe will heal up by tomorrow morning so I can go running. I wanna get started asap because the next week is going to be extremely difficult. Most of the weight that has come off is probably water weight, so reaching my next milestone will be that much more difficult. A combination of eating healthy and pushing the boundaries of my exercises should help me reach it though. And I just want to say I'm pretty damn happy with my result this week. I worked hard and was rewarded in return. But I know this is just the beginning of a long journey.

Oh, today I ate: peanut butter bagel (lifeeee), coffee (lifeeee), salad, slice of pizza (rewarddd), I think that's all cause I'm kinda of full right now.

Weigh In #5: 210.4 pounds

Weight Lost This Week: 2.4 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 11.2 pounds

Week 4, Day 7: Wow, It's Really Almost Been A Month

Before getting into today just want to give a quick recap of everything that happened yesterday. I ate semi-healthy at my family's picnic and exercised a lot. I biked at least 5 miles and played a ton of soccer. So yeah.

Today I woke up late and couldn't go to the gym because I hurt my toe playing soccer :( hopefully it's all gone by the morning because I'm supposed to begin running tomorrow, which I am SUPER excited for. 

I supplemented the gym today by using the stationary bike in my basement for 40 minutes, I was sweating like a mad man--it's way too humid down there.

What I ate: big salad, coffee, water, rice and chicken. 

Weigh in tomorrow...I don't feel confident, but I'm not lacking confidence of myself either. Should be interesting. If I can reach the ten pound mark or go down to single digits, I would really be ecstatic. Guess we'll see tomorrow.

Week 4, Day 5: Not Too Healty, But Not Too Much

Hmmm, today was another strange one. For some reason, I only got two meals in me today...maybe because I was super busy and all.

So I went to the gym really early in the morning and did 25 minutes on the treadmill per usual. When I got home, I cleaned the fridge and headed out to meet up with a friend to go off to a soccer game. And I was reallyyyyy torn, I wanted to get a salad...but at the same time, didn't want to look stupid. Everyone just gets in your business and trumps up the whole diet thing and its a little embarrassing. So I ended up eating chicken tenders & fries, which actually tasted kind of bad~~~.

Anywho, we spent the rest of the day exploring Jersey and shtuff. Twas' fun.

What I ate: Spaghetti for lunch, chicken tenders & fries, and water of course.


Later.

Week 4, Day 4: I didn't Work Out And That's Ok

Today (well, Friday) was a bit of a topsy-turvey started off the day working in the library, then went to Manhattan, and finally home. The day just didn't feel right without the gym, honestly.

But to some extent, I'm okay with that. Listen, when I go back to college who knows if I'll be able to keep all this up...not saying I won't try my all, but shit happens. Blagh! Anywho, I guess I'm just trying to say that I'm proud of myself for keeping a healthy diet today and that I don't regret missing out on the gym.

What I ate: banana, coffee, banana, meatball sandwich, small soup, rice and arron (it's a Haitian thing), cracker, and water of course.

Week 4, Day 3: Boring & I'm Tired

Went to gym, so turnt. Went to Staten Island BLAGH BLAGH BLAGH. Sorry, don't feel like blogging.

What I ate: banana, apple, coffee, banana, nuts & raisins, water, rice, plantain & tuna fish.

Week 4, Day 2: It's Never Too Late

Today almost seemed destined to be another bad day on this journey, but it actually turned out to be really good! Granted, staying at home the whole day makes me tend to eat a bit more than usual (which reminds me, I NEED to set up a game plan to succeed with this in college).

So I woke up ate and did almost nothing till approximately 5 pm, but I didn't let any of that get me down. I grabbed a cup of coffee and did a whole bunch of work for the radio station as well as a bit for newspaper. Then I hit the gym, my mom's pretty supportive of it and lets me go out as late as I need to...sometimes morning workouts aren't on your mind.

Oh, and at the gym the perfecttttt play list came on, I stayed on the treadmill for a good 28 minutes (She knows, Thrift Shop, Swimming Pools, Hypnotize, Pour It Up, etc.). So yeah, the only thing I regret about today was over eating a bit at dinner and those meaningless in between munchies. But the week is still young, and I'm still fighting.

What I ate: Ensure, Salmon, Bagel w/ peanut butter, small cup of coca cola, coffee, two handful of crackers, and a big plate of rice and shrimp, and of course waterrrr.

Week 4, Day 1: Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, Clap, Clap, Clap

Ahhh, so today (well yesterday) was very odd in a number of ways. So I weighed in early in the morning, semi-disappointing but since I had 4 days which were bad it should be expected. It taught me that you can't take days off if you're trying to turn your life around. You have to take everyday seriously and make sure not to fall into the same pitfalls as before. Because if you do, then you're not really learning anything at all.

I'm excited for my fourth week though, I'm definitely going to break 10 pounds and my goal is still to get into the single digits of the 200. That would just clear my head soooo much. Also, I haven't forgotten about my initial goal: 10.3 pounds by August 1st. I can reach it, and I should be surpassing it.

This month has mostly been about building my body's strength up so I can go back to hitting the road again on long jogs, and beginning to lift weights. It should be very interesting.

But my focus is here and now, making sure Week #4 is a successful one.

What I ate: nuts & raisins, banana, six inch sub sandwich, spaghetti, water, and a candy bar *sad face.*

Weigh In #4: 212.8 pounds

Weight Loss This Week: 1.2 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 8.8 pounds

Week 3, Day 7: The Devils Rears Its Ugly Head

Dizzy and disorientated is how I rose this morning, confusingly looking at my cellphone for the time--it was 7:15am. I woke up too late. So I didn't get to start off my morning at the gym, instead I made my way to mys sister's thesis defense (when a master's student has to defend their thesis in front of a panel of professors). She brought us donuts and coffee, of which I took two of each (yes two cups of coffee too, dumb idea, I know).

After the meeting we went out to lunch where I hesitantly ordered a salad...I hate ordering salads in public, because everyone gets on your back for being on a "diet." I was glad my family didn't make any comments about it at all.

So we got home and I had a third cup of coffee, as I began preparing to interview some sources for an article I was preparing. I think the three cups most of cancelled each other all out because I definitely fell asleep. Disappointed for not getting much worked done, I sulked downstairs and ate two more donuts--two more, ugh, I get angry at myself just thinking about it.

After a while of just being angry at myself, I decided to go to the gym. I really like, that the gym is becoming a therapeutic spot for me. Somewhere where I can relax, vent off steam, and enjoy the steady release of endorphins.

So I came home and desperately wanted to skip dinner, because not only was I nervous about tomorrow's weigh-in but I already ate a shit load of doughnuts. But my mom already had the food all set up for me, so I ate.

I'm not sure if tomorrow's weigh in will be a successful one. That isn't to say I'm going to give up, but this week has been shaky. It makes me wonder if I can continue this in college where the devil will rear its ugly almost every minute with all the unhealthy snacks available.

What I ate: 4 doughnuts, 3 cups of coffee, a salad, chicken & rice, and water.

Week 3, Day 6: An All Around Solid Day

Today when I first woke up I felt like a zombie, my body was begging me to go back under the sheets and wrap myself in its warmth. But somehow I got one sock on my right foot, another on my left and somehow, in a half conscious state, I made it to the gym. I did 7:30 min on the elliptical and felt pumped after going 22:30 min on the treadmill.

It's insane to think that just three measly weeks ago I could barely breath while I was working my way through ten minutes on the damned machine. And what's even more uplifting is the fact that in just one week I'll be done with the treadmill! I'll be fit enough that every other day I'll be strong enough to run on the cold hard pavement. I mean, I'll still use the gym every other day for weight lifting, but I'm looking forward to some real running! Back in my sophomore year of high school, there was no other activity that made me feel so alive and accomplished.

Oh, and before I forget, I've decided that if--scratch that--WHEN I lose 20 pounds, I'll reward myself with a new pair of running shoes. The ones I have now are nearly done and just about ready to be thrown away, I'm thinking a sleek pair of black kicks.

Tis' so exciting to think about what the future holds for me, but till then I need to stay in the present and focus on making myself healthier. While I don't want to lose sight of my goal, I do need to keep one eye on the path as well.

What I ate today: banana, coffee, pasta & roasted chicken (left overs), chicken and rice, grapes, and water.

Week 3, Day 5: Too Real

So it's the fifth day of the week, which means that I up the difficulty of my training. Today I spent 7:30 min on the elliptical and 22:30 min on the treadmill.

And let me just say: That. Shit. Was. So. Real. Found Jesus like twice, man. And yes, he is black.

What I ate today: apple, banana, peanut butter sandwich, crackers, one cup of apple juice, water, italian bread and soup.

I ate a bit more than expected, but still healthy overall. I need to replace snacks with some nut mix with raisins, that would be deliciousssss.

Week 3, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4: Pit Falls Get Deeper, Climbs Get Steeper

Since I missed the last couple of days, I'll try my best to recap everything that happened.

What I ate

Day 2: bacon, egg & cheese, coffee, apple, water, king fish & plantains.

Day 3: apple, sausage, egg, and cheese, hash browns, two cups of coffee, meatball sandwich, half of a cookie, water, baked chicken & rice.

Day 4: Banana, cheez-it, pop tarts, pay-day bar, banana again, fruit bar, rice & shrimp, large glass of sprite.

Yep, the last few days I've fallen off the wagon a bit. On day 2 I was really proud of myself for completely rejecting an offer for some fried food while I was at the radio station. One of the faculty members, Steve H., gladly accepted--he's pushing 500 pounds and is disabled because of his weight. It made me realize that the whole "this is the only body you'll ever have" thing is NOT a cliche. It's way more than that; it's straight up true. I also went to the gym and did the usual stuff.

Day 3 was extremely frustrating because the trains weren't working and I took the wrong bus into one of Brooklyn's worst neighborhoods...had to walk 1.6 miles to get back on track to the trains. So I ended up skipping work and hanging out with my best friend, Rahimul. But by then I was in "fuck-it" mode and just ate whatever came my way. I opted for the cheap and ready Dunkin Dounts meal and super sized my sandwich, when I could've just gotten some fruit and water to go with it...at least I went to the gym?

Day 4 has been the worst day of all--like of this entire journey, I would argue. First of all, I didn't go the gym because I was trying to get to College of Staten Island early. When I got there the cafeteria was closed, so I opted for junk food...and tons of it. By the time I got home, I fell asleep and woke up around 10pm. Then, I ate a huge plate of rice and shrimp and then went for seconds...polished off with a large glass of sprite.

I'm super frustrated by the position I've put myself in, but I'm motivated to make up for it. Since it is the weekend I may do something known as "two-a-days" for the rest of the week. Which means in addition to my workout, I'll probably add some light biking to it at the end of the day. Also, planning ahead is key. By not planning ahead these past few days, I've almost ruined everything that I've worked hard for. And when I'm taking 17 credits, plus running the politics section, and the radio station's news department this upcoming Fall, planning will definitely be key.

In college, things can spin out of control pretty quickly.

So here's to getting back on the horse, I'm off to the gym. *raises glass of water*

Week 3, Day 1: Weigh In #3

Got up early and hit the gym, jogging for 20 minutes on the treadmill is really difficult! But it did feel rewarding. I was able to get ready for work in time and shtuff. The day was going really well until my mom bought dinner...chinese food *sigh*. I was weak, I'll admit it. I tried though! Even did the tall glass of water trick, but I still ended up devouring at least three quarters of the carton. I was disappointed immediately after, it seems if the goal or benefit isn't directly in my face, I can't make the right decision. Still. At least I'm acknowledging my faults, nothing else I can do but move forward.

Here's what I ate today: apple, turkey sandwich, half a can of sprite, coffee, white rice, broccoli & garlic sauce, and lots of water.

Weigh In #3: 214 pounds


Weight Loss This Week: 3 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 7.6 pounds

Honestly, I wanted better, but hey, it's still progress. I don't wanna over shoot, but it would be awesome if I could touch single digits next week...it would just be SO uplifting.

Here's to another week of hard work!

Week 2, Day 7: Pretty Normal day

From what I can remember yesterday was pretty normal all around. I went to the gym and got back home before heading over to Manhattan.

Ate an apple, some coffee, rice & chicken, and of course water. I was pretty damn nervous for tomorrow's weigh in...just don't wanna jinx it, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a number in my head.

Week 2, Day 6: Should You Tell People That You're "On A Diet"

So yesterday I woke up and went to the gym (12.5 min on the elliptical and 17.5 min on the treadmill). Afterwards I visited a friend and his dad was all like "eat my cheese burgers," but I hate cheese burgers...anywho, he assumed it was because I was on a diet and my ears felt redder than a beet. I have this thing where I HATE letting people know I'm trying to be healthier on an account of failing to do so, so many times. Maybe one day I'll get over it, just not yet.

Today was a weird combination of unbalanced meal, mostly because I went out.

Here's what I ate: apple, peanut butter sandwich, crackers, coffee, goldfish cracker, watermelon, cookies (I'M SORRY...it was to offset the non-eaten cheese burgers), two cups of juice, chicken and rice.

Week 2, Day 5: Less, But Bigger Meals

So today was another pretty good, went to the gym and all that good stuff. But since I've been waking up later than usual these past few days, I've been eating two meals a day instead of three. I'll try and change that starting tomorrow.

What I ate today: two hot dogs (mom made it for lunch, sue me!), salad, corn meal & fish.

ALSO, in past blogs I haven't been honest and fudged details. So I'll come clean on this one; almost every day of the first week, I weighed myself I don't know why I just couldn't help it. I guess I just want to see the change and receive validation for my hard work as soon as possible...but I'm proud to say that I've turned things around and I haven't looked at the scale since my last weigh in!

Week 2, Day 4: Don't Call It A Comeback

Came back really strong today! Started off with the gym (5 min bicycle, 20 min. treadmill, and 10 elliptical) and the perfect song came on so I stayed on longer than usual on the treadmill ("10 2 10" by Big Sean).

Not much to say besides that...well tomorrow I'm uping the amount of exercise I'll be doing at the gym. It'll be a challenge since I feel like I haven't 100% adapted to the 15 minutes I've been doing.

What I ate today: bagel w/ peanut butter, coffee, plantain, tuna fish, and water.

Week 2, Day 3: Acknowledge Your Pitfalls

So yesterday I woke up late (6:35am). I was supposed to wake up at 4:30am so i could go to the gym and still have time to reach Staten Island from Brooklyn by 9am. I spent the whole day there and was really tired by the time I got home...so long story short I didn't go to the gym...and to add injury to insult I was in my "eff it all" phase and broke my healthy eating habits.

It's disappointing, especially after the rah rah speech I gave yesterday about how times were changing but I believe that it is really important to acknowledge your pitfalls and examine them so that you may better yourself as time goes on.

As they said in the Dark Knight: "Why do we fall sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up."

Week 2, Day 2: The Times, They Are A Changin'

Woke up and went to the gym today (5 min bicycle, 15 min. treadmill, 10 minutes elliptical...well step climber thingie, all the ellipticals were taken). And mannnn, I was dying on the treadmill, but I see that as a good thing in two ways: 1.) I'm challenging my body so more fat is burned (in the beginning I just breezed through everything), and it also motivates me to eat healthier throughout everyday so I'm better prepared for tomorrow.

So the the title of this blog post is sadly not referring to the Bob Dylan song, but rather to the change in mindset that is happening to me as I'm going on this journey. I'm extremely hesitant to jump the gun on this because I've gone on weight loss journeys before and I've failed a million times.

But sadly I cannot tell a lie.

I'd be lying if I said I went for seconds during dinner, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel full after a healthy flatbread sandwich & chicken soup, I'd be lying if I said I ate the cookie that was offered to me, and I'd damn sure be lying if I said I wasn't motivated as hell to make the same decisions tomorrow.

That's all.

Things I ate today: apple, flatbread thai chicken sandwich, chicken soup, coffee, rice and fish, and plenty of water.

Week 2, Day 1: Weigh In #2

So today started off well, I woke up at 6am and went off to the gym around 9pm. I may not have much mentioned it before but my plan is to up my exercise after every 4th and 7th day of any given week. So today was that day! I spent 5 minutes on the bicycle, 15 minutes on the treadmill, and 10 minutes on the elliptical. I felt very strong and confident, so hopefully that continues.

As the day went on I didn't have a major craving for food, I just kept looking forward to tomorrow's workout and getting stronger, I love this change in mentality and I hope it continues...God knows how many times I've gone a couple of days and stopped or quit for no good reason. I just don't want that to happen.

Anywho, I've been drinking water more and more which is great.

Here's what I ate today: eggs with toasted bread, strawberries, lots of water, spaghetti (with spaghetti sauce and meatballs--may have been over kill).

Besides dinner, I'm pleased with my eating patterns...should've chilled with the meatballs though.

SO HERE'S THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!

Weigh In #2: 217 pounds

Weight Loss This Week: 4.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss: 4.6 pounds

Gotta keep the ball rolling with another solid week...Let's make this happen.

Week 1, Day 6 and 7: Fail, Then Not So Much Of A Fail

Sorry I didn't post the other few days! Sunday was a bit of a fail, but I was proud of myself for not missing the gym. Monday was a lot better food wise and taught me that keeping myself busy is very, very helpful. Being in the office for the whole day really changed the dynamic of things and kept my mind off food.

Can't remember all the stuff I ate on Sunday, but yesterday: banana, apple, water, coffee, turkey sandwich (w/red peppers omggg <3 ), and chicken with rice.

Only thing is...damn the gym gets REALLY packed in the evening--reminder: stick to morning workouts. Soooo nervous, I'm about to go to the gym, like, within the hour to weigh myself to see how I did the first week. I shouldn't be though, this week was more concerned with getting my legs stronger in order to do normal exercises without ravaging my body.

But still.

Week 1, Day 5: Bouncing Back Never Felt So Good!

Wow, today was a complete 180 from yesterday. So I woke up late, watched some soccer, and then I finally hit the gym. I decided to increase my cardio a bit (5 min on the bicycle, 12.5 min on the treadmill, and 12.5 min on the elliptical) and I felt amazing, my legs are getting stronger and I'm starting to almost encourage the burn more than ever before.

It's interesting because when I woke up I almost gave up on the diet, I was craving sugar and junk food like a madman. But somehow I just kept thinking about the progress I was making and avoided it. Luckily there were some bananas in the house and that stopped the cravings, so when we run out, I definitely need to stock up on fruit.

What I ate today: 2 bananas, bread, turkey sandwich, peanut butter sandwich, coffee, fish and rice.

The rest of the day was a breeze, I just keep thinking about tomorrows workout and how awesome the end goal of all this will be if I keep at out. I want this more than anything right now and I'm going to keep grinding till I get there. Slowly increasing my workouts, eating healthy, and incorporating weight lifting...all with due time. Time and pressure, that's the key! Wish me luck.

Week 1, Day 4: Disappointed but Hopeful

Today started out with so much promise, I went to the gym (the usual workout), but it seems to have gone downhill from there. I skipped breakfast, ate junk food when I met up with my friend, Karolina, and continued eating a whole bunch of sugary b.s. the rest of the night. I get that it's July 4th but I should've tried harder...I have three days till the weigh in. I. Will. Not. Give. Up.

All the crap I ate today: turkey sandwich, chips, arizona ice tea, ice cream, nutter butter cookies, two hamburgers, a hot dog, cake, and tons of soda.

Week 1, Day 3: Have A Plan In Place...Or Else

Day three started out pretty good, got up late again but I hauled myself over to the gym right away. Once again, I did: 10 minutes on the bike, 10 on the treadmill, and 10 on the elliptical. I got home showered and took a long nap after breakfast.

Then came lunch, and my worry about not having a solid plan in place came into fruition. There was literally NOTHING to eat, and I was starving. I drank some apple juice, ate bread, and anything I could get my hands on. I stopped myself halfway and found some uncooked Salmon which I cooked in the oven. I feel like if I had a meal plan in place, I wouldn't have even cheated with all those little snacks before I could find something substantial though. Though, my mom did go shopping at Costco today, so there'll be plenty of different foods to try out over the next couple of days. 

Here's everything I ate today: eggs, orange juice, strawberries, salmon, bread, more bread, rice and fish, a coffee cake, a bit of apple juice.

Besides half cheating during lunch, I almost cheated again right before dinner...man will power can be crazy. So I went to the corner story to pick up a Daily News (can you believe it costs $1.25 now?!), mostly because I wanted to take a nice walk. I got some coffee and coffee cakes, I ate one and started feeling really guilty, so I threw out the second one as soon as I got home. Even though I ate one, I was proud of myself for throwing the rest of it away. 

Tomorrow's a new day and it'll be tough with all the barbecue. Wish me luck!

Week 1, Day 2: Water Is Key

Ahh, so I just finished up my second day on this journey. Started out by ignoring my alarm, but suddenly got the strength to get out of bed and go to the gym (same routine: 10 min. bicycle, 10 min. treadmill, 10 min. elliptical). I felt accomplished and the music during the treadmill run helped out a lot!

Here's everything I ate throughout the day: oatmeal, bread, spaghetti, and LOTS of water. Now I know what you're thinking, you skipped lunch--I mean I did, but I didn't do it on purpose. Afternoon naps will do that to a brother.

So anywho, I drank water before every meal and it helps to feel fuller and more satisfied; not that I'm starving myself, I know that'll ultimately lead to failure. I think it's beginning to become my secret weapon.

I'm excited to go to the gym for my third day in a row, though I need to stop weighing myself on the scale, it's not all about the numbers, it's also about how I feel.

I'm off to bed, here's to a healthy tomorrow.

Week 1, Day 1: Weigh In #1 And My Goals

Hmm, so here we are again. Making another blog, trying to lose weight, trying not to give up on the third day--it all sounds a bit too familiar at this point in my life. I just turned 19 years old, and I want to make some changes in my life. Besides trying to read as much as possible, losing weight is my main goal.

Lately, all of my clothes have been feeling tight, I feel weak and awkward wherever I go. I want this to end...like now. It's going to be a step by step process but this year I feel like I have transitioned from that of a "sayer" to that of a "doer." No more saying I'll do it tomorrow, or exercising than pigging out at home. I'm going to try my best to hit the gym everyday and eat healthy and balanced meals. I did it today (10 minutes on the bike, 10 minutes on the treadmill, and 10 minutes on the elliptical). As soon as I wake up tomorrow, I'll do it again! I hope to post everyday about my pitfalls and successes, and I'll try my best to be consistent.

So my official goal is: to lose 22 pounds by September 1st (so 11 by August 1st).

If we get to that, I will then set some more goals.


Weigh in #1: 221.6 pounds.